About Exam Science
How marking works
Every marked answer is compared with the official mark scheme for that question. The goal is to show where marks are earned or lost, not just whether the final answer is right.
Mark-scheme based marking
Each question part has a mark allocation and a corresponding mark-scheme entry. When you submit an answer, the marking model reads the question, your working and the mark scheme, then returns a mark and a short justification for each part.
Method marks and accuracy marks
Edexcel and Cambridge mark schemes separate method marks from accuracy marks. A correct method with an arithmetic slip usually keeps the method marks. The feedback names the step that earned credit so you can see the difference between a method error and a final-answer error.
What the feedback includes
- The marks awarded for each part and the total for the question.
- The specific mark-scheme point that was met or missed.
- The topic and subtopic the question belongs to, so mistakes roll up into topic-level reports.
Limits
Automated marking is a study aid, not an official result. Handwriting, diagrams and unusual valid methods can be judged differently by a human examiner. If the feedback looks wrong, compare it with the official mark scheme and email [email protected] so the case can be reviewed.